Birthday party plans

Yeah, my staycation wasn't quite as fruitful as I had hoped it would be.   Isn't that kind of how it always goes?

Lily's birthday kind of crept up on us this year.  It's funny - last year for her first birthday I was nuts about planning everything to the letter.  We had a theme with expensive custom cupcakes, we had a detailed menu, I did a bunch of crafting (even making artsy signs indicating things like "Pasta Salad" as if someone couldn't freaking see it in the serving dish), I was totally channeling my inner Martha Stewart - and then it went and was in the 60s and pouring down rain the day of the party.   IN AUGUST.  Thanks to a speedy delivery and setup of a large tent from our dear family friends who own a rental center, we managed to salvage the backyard party, but I was incredibly stressed and spent the entire party in a panic over making sure our guests were reasonably comfortable, fed, and dry.    After the guests went home we realized that there were few pictures of us with our daughter at her party, because we were so busy running around like maniacs.

I was tempted to book the local children's museum for Lily's party this year, but we decided to do a more informal party at home.  Our whole approach is much less formal - a smaller guest list, cupcakes ordered from the bakery down the street, burgers & hot dogs on the grill with soda and beer in coolers, a pop-up canopy or two, and the entertainment will be a bunch of kids playing in the water table and kiddie pool (weather permitting).   Because we have the bedroom on our main level set up as the playroom now, if it rains we'll just head inside and the kids can play in there.   Our house is small, but with fewer guests it would be more tolerable if we can't be in the yard.

Now to think of a birthday gift for the 2 year old who has everything...